Lonnie Walker’s exciting 4th quarter gives Lakers 3–1 lead

In Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, Lonnie Walker IV led the offense in a way that hasn’t been done by a Lakers player since Kobe Bryant did it before he was even born.
The final frame was when Walker scored all 15 of his points. He led the Lakers to a 104–101 victory on Monday night, giving them a 3–1 series lead and placing them one win away from the Western Conference Finals. He was the first Laker off the bench to score 15 or more points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Bryant accomplished it 26 years ago on this day.
Walker’s 6-for-9 field goal performance in the final period matched the Warriors’ team average (6-for-17). No shot was more significant than his pull-up jumper with Stephen Curry covering him with 1:53 left in the game, which gave the Lakers a lead they wouldn’t give up, 100–99.
“It just comes with a lot of confidence,” Walker said of the shot on Curry. “I made a couple of other shots before that, and I think my confidence was for sure at an all-time high. … It’s probably a difficult shot for others, but it really isn’t a difficult shot for me.”
Walker, who had been primarily absent from Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s playoff rotation before Game 3 against the Warriors, fell to the ground as the final bell sounded, overcome by the emotion of the occasion.
Before the entire team surrounded him to rejoice, LeBron James and Anthony Davis quickly lifted him and gave him an embrace.
“The game ball definitely goes to him,” said James, who also was key in L.A.’s rally from down seven to start the fourth. “We don’t win without him.”
Following the third-quarter break, L.A. went on a 7–0 run to tie the game. James found Walker for a 3-pointer, then scored himself and helped Davis make a turnaround shot in the lane.
Except for 13 seconds in the fourth quarter, James, a 20-year veteran, played the entire game. He finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in 43 minutes.
Davis, meanwhile, ended his playoff reputation of being on and off throughout with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and three steals after a great Game 3.
But Walker owned the night.
“When your mind and your heart are in a good place, the body follows,” Ham said of the 24-year-old guard who signed with L.A. on the midlevel exception last summer.
Walker has the option to leave his contract after the second year and become a free agent this summer. The Lakers will undoubtedly consider modifying his contract for a longer-term commitment if he continues to contribute during the remainder of the postseason.
Walker started 32 games for the Lakers this season, although the majority of those were played before L.A. made significant roster changes at the trade deadline, reducing Walker’s importance.
Walker was moved ahead of Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley in Ham’s revised rotation after L.A.’s loss to Golden State in Game 2; Walker responded with 12 points in Game 3 and then had a remarkable night on Monday.
“The greatest feeling you could ever imagine,” Walker said when asked to describe his emotions. “As a kid, this is something I’ve been dreaming of doing. Not just being a part of the playoffs, but impacting it, let alone winning in the playoffs. I’m truly proud of myself. It shows my capabilities. Just my mental fortitude. I think the hardest thing of being able to play a lot and then not playing at all is sticking with it.”
Additionally, Walker’s defense helped to keep Curry and Klay Thompson to a combined 4-for-15 in the fourth.
“I’m a role player at the end of the day, and I got to do what I got to do for my team to win,” Walker said. “Doing all the little things, playing great defense, rebounding, taking a charge, whatever it may be.”
The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets series is knotted 2–2. The Lakers may win the series on Wednesday at Chase Center in San Francisco. They will then be waiting for the outcome of that game.
Walker’s Game 4 will go down in Lakers history; no matter what Game 5 may hold.
“Truth be told, it might sound narcissistic or not, but I’m in love with myself, and I want to be my best self,” Walker said. “So I think that’s the real goal. I’m ambitious, and I’m eager to be where LeBron and AD are and become a star.”